Patents by Inventor Ashish Pattekar
Ashish Pattekar has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120103221Abstract: An cleaning method for a variable data lithography system employs a first cleaning member having a conformable adhesive surface disposed for physical contact with an imaging member such that residual ink remaining on the imaging member, such as following transfer of an inked latent image from the imaging member to a substrate, adheres to the conformable adhesive surface and is thereby removed from the imaging member. The cleaning method may further employ a second cleaning member, in physical contact with the first cleaning member, having a relatively hard, smooth surface such that residual ink removed from the imaging member and adhering to the adhesive surface of the first cleaning member may split onto the second cleaning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy Stowe, Eric Peeters, Martin Sheridan, Ashish Pattekar, Gregory Anderson
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Publication number: 20120103219Abstract: An improved imaging member for a variable data lithography system comprises a reimageable surface layer comprising a polymer, the reimageable surface having a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.10-4.0 ?m peak-to-valley, and peak-to-valley nearest neighbor average distances finer than 20 ?m. A structural mounting layer may be provided to which the reimageable surface layer is attached, either directly or with intermediate layers therebetween. The relatively rough surface facilitates retention of dampening solution and improves inking uniformity and transfer. The reimageable surface layer may be comprised of polydimethylsiloxane (silicone), and may optionally have particulate radiation sensitive material disbursed therein to promote absorption, and hence heating, from an optical source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Timothy Stowe, Ashish Pattekar
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Patent number: 8123345Abstract: A system enables ink on an image receiving member to be re-distributed to reduce banding effects in the image. The system includes an ink applicator for applying ink to form an ink image on an image receiving member as it passes by the ink applicator; a plenum chamber for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid from a fluid source, and at least one opening in the plenum chamber to direct the flow of pressurized fluid from the plenum towards the ink image on the image receiving member to re-distribute the ink on the image receiving member.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gregory Joseph Kovacs, Ashish Pattekar, David K. Biegelsen, Lars Erik Swartz, Jennifer L. Belelie, Peter Gordon Odell
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Publication number: 20120045258Abstract: Substrate (or marking material) pre-heating is employed to facilitate fusing of the marking material with the substrate and with adjacent marking material. By heating primarily the material which becomes the interface between substrate and marking material, and by minimizing the distance between the point of heat application to the substrate (or marking material) and the marking nip in a print system, the amount of time for heat energy to dissipate prior to the application of the marking material to the substrate surface is minimized, meaning that the total amount of energy required to drive the heat source can be reduced. Addressable heating may be employed to further reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, optical heating may be used to provide rapid, on-demand heating, thereby reducing warm-up time as well as reducing unutilized heat energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: David K. Biegelsen, Ashish Pattekar
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Publication number: 20120038726Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus for thermal ink transfer. An endless belt having a thin thickness transfers ink from an ink donor roll to an image substrate based on a pattern on the belt. A heating unit heats the belt locally as needed in vicinity of contact between the belt and the ink donor roll. One disclosed feature of the embodiments is a method to transfer ink. An endless belt is driven to transfer ink from an ink donor roll to an image substrate based on a pattern of a fountain solution formed on the belt. The belt is heated locally as needed in vicinity of contact between the belt and the ink donor roll.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Ashish Pattekar, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 8059975Abstract: A system of diagnosing a printer or photocopying system using a flexible diagnostic sheet is described. In the system, a thin diagnostic sheet including a plurality of sensors formed on the sheet is run through the paper path of the printing system. The printing system subjects the diagnostic sheet to the printing process, including the deposition of fuser oil and toner on the sheet. Sensors on the sheet record various parameters, including but not limited to the amount of fuser oil deposited and the charge on various toner particles. The information is transmitted to service personnel or the printer end user to enable timely repair of the printer.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Michael L Chabinyc, Tse Nga Ng, William S Wong, Ashish Pattekar, John E Northrup, Pengfei Qi
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Patent number: 7975723Abstract: A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Eric Peeters, Ashish Pattekar, Gregory B. Anderson
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Patent number: 7890043Abstract: A non-atmospheric pressure vapor oven system that utilizes a controllable pressure zone to facilitate fast phase change heat transfer at any desired temperature to heat or cool flat substrates, and to level temperatures across different locations of the substrates. The system enables the use of a heat transfer fluid, such as water, without being limited to a particular temperature, such as the fluid's natural boiling point at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a vapor oven (hermetic enclosure) defining a pressure chamber having sealed entry and exit ports for transferring an object (e.g., a sheet of paper) with added material (e.g., toner) through the pressure chamber, and a pressure regulation apparatus for setting the saturation temperature (boiling point) of heat transfer fluid inside the vapor oven to an optimal heating/cooling temperature by selectively controlling the pressure inside the hermetic enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: David K. Biegelsen, Ashish Pattekar, Armin R. Volkel, Lars-Erik Swartz
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Publication number: 20100252117Abstract: A method of controlling a main fluid in a conduit using a microvalve is described. The microvalve includes a corresponding actuation aperture in an actuation aperture layer. A control fluid flows through the actuation aperture in response to an electric field applied via a charge distribution near an actuation aperture layer. In one embodiment, the electric field may adjust the opening and closing of the actuation aperture thereby controlling the flow of the control fluid. In a second embodiment, the control fluid is an electrorheological fluid where the electric field controls the viscosity of the ER fluid, thereby controlling fluid flow through the actuation aperture. In both embodiments the flow of the control fluid controls stretching of a flexible membrane into and out of the conduit, thereby controlling the flow of the main fluid by opening or closing the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Ashish Pattekar, Eugene M. Chow, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 7801475Abstract: A dual-zone steam fuser for a xerographic system includes a ultra-heated first zone maintained at 200-500° C. that quickly heats a paper substrate to an optimal toner fusing temperature (e.g., 120-150° C.), and a second, relatively cool second zone for maintaining the substrate at the optimal temperature during completion of the fusing process. A conveying system conveys the substrate so that it exits the first zone and enters the second zone immediately after the substrate temperature reaches the optimal toner fusing temperature, and is maintained in the second zone for a predetermined fusing operation time period. The gas (e.g., steam) temperatures and timing are selected such that surface condensation is minimized during initial heating, and such that moisture content is normalized at the end of the fusing process.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: David K. Biegelsen, Armin R. Volkel, Ashish Pattekar, Lars-Erik Swartz
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Publication number: 20100158544Abstract: A system of diagnosing a printer or photocopying system using a flexible diagnostic sheet is described. In the system, a thin diagnostic sheet including a plurality of sensors formed on the sheet is run through the paper path of the printing system. The printing system subjects the diagnostic sheet to the printing process, including the deposition of fuser oil and toner on the sheet. Sensors on the sheet record various parameters, including but not limited to the amount of fuser oil deposited and the charge on various toner particles. The information is transmitted to service personnel or the printer end user to enable timely repair of the printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Michael L. Chabinyc, Tse Nga Ng, William S. Wong, Ashish Pattekar, John E. Northrup, Pengfei Qi
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Patent number: 7677176Abstract: A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the viscosity of an electrorheological fluid is adjusted using an electric field to control its flow and create the desired relief pattern in a flexible printed surface. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Ashish Pattekar, Eric Peeters
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Publication number: 20100059122Abstract: A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Palo Alto Rersearch Center IncorporatedInventors: Eric Peeters, Ashish Pattekar, Gregory B. Anderson
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Patent number: 7673562Abstract: A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the method uses an electric field to control a series of microvalves. The microvalves control a fluid flow that raises or lowers selected regions on a flexible printing surface to create a desired relief pattern. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Ashish Pattekar, Eric Peeters, Gregory B. Anderson
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Patent number: 7665715Abstract: An improved microvalve is described. The microvalve is formed such that the walls of the microvalve are formed from a gel material. Typically, the microvalve includes open flow paths, often holes, through a gel layer. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the gel closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Eric Peeters, Ashish Pattekar, Gregory B. Anderson
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Publication number: 20090195572Abstract: A system enables ink on an image receiving member to be re-distributed to reduce banding effects in the image. The system includes an ink applicator for applying ink to form an ink image on an image receiving member as it passes by the ink applicator; a plenum chamber for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid from a fluid source, and at least one opening in the plenum chamber to direct the flow of pressurized fluid from the plenum towards the ink image on the image receiving member to re-distribute the ink on the image receiving member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicants: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gregory Joseph Kovacs, Ashish Pattekar, David K. Biegelsen, Lars Erik Swartz, Jennifer L. Belelie, Peter Gordon Odell
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Publication number: 20090159822Abstract: An improved microvalve is described. The microvalve includes a corresponding actuation aperture in an actuation aperture layer. A control fluid flows through the actuation aperture. The flow of the control fluid is controlled by an electric field typically applied via a charge distribution near an actuation aperture layer. In one embodiment, the electric field may adjust the opening and closing of the actuation aperture thereby controlling the flow of the control fluid. In a second embodiment, the control fluid is an electrorheological fluid where the electric field controls the viscosity of the ER fluid thereby controlling fluid flow through the actuation aperture. In both embodiments the flow of the control fluid controls stretching of a flexible membrane formed along the wall of a conduit through which a fluid to be controlled flows. The stretching of the flexible membrane controlling the flow of the main fluid to be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Ashish Pattekar, Eugene M Chow, Eric Peeters
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Publication number: 20090154969Abstract: A non-atmospheric pressure vapor oven system that utilizes a controllable pressure zone to facilitate fast phase change heat transfer at any desired temperature to heat or cool flat substrates, and to level temperatures across different locations of the substrates. The system enables the use of a heat transfer fluid, such as water, without being limited to a particular temperature, such as the fluid's natural boiling point at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a vapor oven (hermetic enclosure) defining a pressure chamber having sealed entry and exit ports for transferring an object (e.g., a sheet of paper) with added material (e.g., toner) through the pressure chamber, and a pressure regulation apparatus for setting the saturation temperature (boiling point) of heat transfer fluid inside the vapor oven to an optimal heating/cooling temperature by selectively controlling the pressure inside the hermetic enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: David K. Biegelsen, Ashish Pattekar, Armin R. Volkel, Lars-Erik Swartz
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Publication number: 20090154968Abstract: A dual-zone steam fuser for a xerographic system includes a ultra-heated first zone maintained at 200-500° C. that quickly heats a paper substrate to an optimal toner fusing temperature (e.g., 120-150° C.), and a second, relatively cool second zone for maintaining the substrate at the optimal temperature during completion of the fusing process. A conveying system conveys the substrate so that it exits the first zone and enters the second zone immediately after the substrate temperature reaches the optimal toner fusing temperature, and is maintained in the second zone for a predetermined fusing operation time period. The gas (e.g., steam) temperatures and timing are selected such that surface condensation is minimized during initial heating, and such that moisture content is normalized at the end of the fusing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: David K. Biegelsen, Armin R. Volkel, Ashish Pattekar, Lars-Erik Swartz
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Publication number: 20080153015Abstract: A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the viscosity of an electrorheological fluid is adjusted using an electric field to control its flow and create the desired relief pattern in a flexible printed surface. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Ashish Pattekar, Eric Peeters